After almost a week of watching low pressure systems spin across the Southern Ocean and crash into southern Chile, there’s a break in the weather!
From our cozy anchorage, it’s 15 upwind miles until we can turn down the Strait of Magellan. A double-reefed mainsail together with the staysail gives the 43’ Madrone about the sail area of a 30’ boat, which is perfect for going upwind in 25 knots. After a couple of hours of waves breaking over the deck, we’re salt-covered but able to turn downwind.
We take advantage of the weather window and sail until nearly dark, which at this latitude is around 11pm. The bottom of the continent of South America is to port, with the tall peaks of Isla Desolacion and other barrier islands to starboard. This is not an area where we want to linger, and we’re happy to have a break in the string of storms to make a safe passage.
